grapesofwrathhomelessness2020

[grapesofwrathhomelessness2020]

... And the owners not only did not work the farms any more, many of them had never seen the farms they owned. And then the dispossessed were drawn west from Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico; from Nevada and Arkansas families, tribes, dusted out, tractored out. Carloads, caravans, homeless and hungry; twenty thousand and fifty thousand and a hundred thousand and two hundred thousand. They streamed over the mountains, hungry and restless restless as ants, scurrying to find work to do to lift, to push, to pull, to pick, to cut anything, any burden to bear, for food. The kids are hungry. We got no place to live. Like ants scurrying for work, for food, and most of all for land .

The Grapes of Wrath

[grapesofwrathhomelessness2020]

'For a moment a little worry came on Ma's face. "Ain't you gonna stay with us with the family?' she asked. 'Well, we talked all about it, me an' Connie. Ma, we wanna live in a town.' She went on excitedly, 'Connie gonna get a job in a store or maybe a fact'ry. An' he's gonna study at home, maybe radio, so he can git to be a expert an' maybe later have his own store.'

The Grapes of Wrath

[grapesofwrathhomelessness2020]

'How long you folks been on the road?' Wilson cleared his teeth with his tongue and swallowed. 'We ain't been lucky,' he said. 'We been three weeks from home.' 'Why, God Awmighty, we aim to be in California in ten days or less.' Al broke in, 'I dunno, Pa. With that load we're packin', we maybe ain't never gonna get there. Not if they's mountains to go over.'

The Grapes of Wrath

[grapesofwrathhomelessness2020]

But the machine man, driving a dead tractor on land he does not know and love, understands only chemis- try; and he is contemptuous of the land and of himself. When the corrugated iron doors are shut, he goes home, and his home is not the land.

The Grapes of Wrath 

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The houses were left vacant on the land, and the land was vacant because of this Only the tractor sheds of corrugated iron, silver, and gleaming were alive.

The Grapes of Wrath 

[grapesofwrathhomelessness2020]

My Proposition

This is not a conclusion. I will continue to post content here whenever the Lord moves my heart. 

There are a multitude of ways to combat the issue of widespread homelessness. Firstly, I want to be able to take action for myself. In most religions, there is a practice of tithing or donating to the less fortunate, but it shouldn’t only exist within religion, or out of obligation. It feels great to work hard and make a sacrifice in your personal life to help someone else in a hard time. In my daily life, it is easy to feel bored, to have too much given to me and not feel challenged in my life. I want to practice the Catholic lent but without the religious context. I JUST want to challenge myself by cutting out a luxury and replacing it with another alternative to enrich my life (and is cheaper). I will cancel my Netflix subscription for the month and borrow library books to read when I want to take a little brain-break from my studies. With the small money that I am able to save, after 3 months I want to donate it to the Suyam Charitable Trust. My tiny contribution will feed over 20kids 2 meals each and keep them off the streets, and help them to attend high level universities and change the world. 

Secondly, I would encourage my peers to watch these same videos, and explore social issues for themselves. Many young people in good social positions do not think very deeply about social issues, to take time to explore how we can make our world a better place. Tik Tok and other apps may increase in popularity, but if we have so much time to be on the internet, it is far more productive to educate ourselves on real world issues instead. Having a better sense of society encourages young people to work hard in school not for wealth, but for enriching the community around them. Educating ourselves on what corporate policies do to disadvantage ourselves and those around us will undoubtedly increase political awareness to fight for more homeless friendly policies. We may have more skilled lawyers and government or social workers who are willing to work for low wages to ensure that homeless individuals are not taken advantage of, etc. I oftentimes hear that the lack of education is not a cause of our world today that doesn’t care about social issues, but I strongly disagree. If you tell people what the world around them looks like with true clarity, and teach empathy within school and home settings, we will become a more civil society. 

I am very encouraged by the media today, though. If you look to see that millennials today are advocating for more human rights, less capitalist policies, and awarding films like Parasite, you can tell that our society today cares at least to some extent. Do not become discouraged by others, face your own values in life and take even small baby steps toward that direction every day. It can be panini’s, it can be water bottles, it can be prayers from home, it can be a tiny amount of your paycheck, it can be a conversation. Go at your own pace, and if and when you are ready, pour your heart and soul into it, because that is what life is all about. I discussed mainly about homelessness, but any social issue needs attention. If the homeless ministries piqued your interest through these videos, please by all means, explore these issues. Otherwise, if you feel more called to another ministry, follow your heart. No matter the issue, there are people who need your help. You are not useless. You, reading this right now, have the potential to change the world for another person. 

[grapesofwrathhomelessness2020]

Inside Skid Row: America's homelessness capital | AJ+

Toward the end of this video, it talks about how our government officials are currently making it harder for us to 

I believe that when we are taking about elections, the same ones that only hold about a 50% turn out rate, coming up soon, we must know what different leaders value and what change they are brining about in our world. Are our officials truly making it harder for individuals fighting homelessness, addictions, phycological trauma, etc. to lead a better life? 

It is true, that actually traveling to places like Skid Row and talking to homeless people ourselves is dangerous, but thankfully we live in a digital world. The ability to be able to listen to a homeless person’s story is right in our fingertips. It doesn’t take much effort for us to realize that the obstacles that we must overcome to become successful are not large compared to others. I want to ask you, are you okay with that? 

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【後編 : ホームレスを救いたい！】スキッドロウ Skidrow 3/3 全米最大のホームレスタウンで支援活動。ロサンゼルス　スキッドロウの真実...

These subtitles are in Japanese, not English. If anyone comments below and asks for a translation, I will try to get to it as soon as possible. 

The main gist of the video is that this Japanese man is going to Skid Row in LA to hand out water on a hot day. He explains that in LA, it gets up to 100 degrees, and feels much hotter since they are on pavement. Oftentimes, people here become dehydrated and pass out which leads to ambulances around this area. Of course, one bottle of water is not all that these people need, but he wants to be able to help to the best of his ability and make a tangible impact on this community. Most of all, he has learned so much about the humanity of the homeless people here, and wants to show the world what they really are like. 

He has built such a connection to the community here, that he is in the process of finding a job for his friend here who has been living in Skid Row for two years. 

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🥪100 gifts for homeless in korea | social experiment

The absolute best thing about this video is that it is a couple of young adults taking their own measures to make a heartfelt gesture to people that they want to impact. In previous videos, it was older adults who talked to homeless individuals and held values related to these social issues. I am a young adult myself, and I especially felt from this video that it doesn’t take a lot to be a good person :) It isn’t a goal, it is something that we do everyday. 

This is the most simple, yet extremely kind act that we can partake in. I believe, though, with experience in Japanese culture that it takes a generosity of heart, but also a sense of respect to the people that you are serving. As can be seen in the Asian Boss video of the homeless Japanese man, homeless individuals have a sense of dignity. We can never forget that. A great rule of thumb when working in volunteerism especially is to exercise empathy, to see ourselves in the people that we serve. 

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Being Homeless In Japan | ASIAN BOSS

Homelessness in Japan is not understood among its own citizens unlike most other nations around the world. Regardless of where you live, whether it be the city, or a suburban area, or rural areas, it is hard to encounter homeless people, and it is the culture not to interact with them. This Asian Boss host, Kei, and his interview with this man should be shared within Japan to give more insight as to the humanity of homeless people. Although not discussed in the video, Japan is an increasingly aging population. Kazuo-san only receives $200 in social welfare, but in the future, Japanese citizens should expect much less. Being homeless in Japan is dangerous and ignored by the general population, but I foresee it becoming a large issue in the near future. Young people in Japan should care more about their own society, and hold opinions and take part in government more than can be seen today.

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The Addiction Center “Homelessness and Addiction”

https://www.addictioncenter.com/addiction/homelessness/

This source lists several causes that lead to homelessness as mental illnesses, being the victim of a severe abuse, being a part of the LGBTQ+ community, among other things. They list that drugs are usually a coping mechanism for the harsh conditions that they encounter by being homeless rather than becoming homeless due to their previous addictions. The most important thing, though, is to recognize these facts and try to turn your life around. We must consider when dealing with homeless that there is so much trauma connected to this issue, and it is not a simple procedure to change their way of life, even when they have every motivation to do so. It is integral to consider the whole person by helping them in rehab, offering our personal love and care, as well as help them gain and keep a job. 

[grapesofwrathhomelessness2020]

Taken from Japan Times

‘I only thought about each day as it came’

Koji Kameda, 47

“I have epilepsy. I can’t remember things that I’ve said or done. I used to be a yankii. When I was 25, I got into a fight and someone hit me on the head with a baton. After that, symptoms started showing and I couldn’t even live my daily life.

“I was the owner of a snack pub in Osaka. I couldn’t continue after my injury. I went back and forth between Tokyo and Osaka, then when I was 39, I got arrested. I stole a car from a security company and went to prison for 10 months.

“I came out of prison with nowhere to go. I had about ¥14,000 in total. I had heard you could get on welfare quickly in Yokohama, so I went there. They told me to live on my own money, but it was all gone in about three or four days. I couldn’t get on welfare and I couldn’t get an apartment, so I gave up on life.

“I went to the suicide forest near Mount Fuji with the intention of killing myself. I had the rope around my neck but then I changed my mind. It wasn’t my time to die. I walked all the way back from Yamanashi Prefecture to Tokyo.

“I went to Toshima Ward to apply for welfare. I was put in a shared room without any privacy. There were about 20 people living in one room, sleeping in bunk beds. I ran away after a month.

“After that, I slept on park benches. I had a pocket game, so during the daytime I would kill time by playing that. In the winter, I would wear layers of jumpers and get in my sleeping bag and try to keep out the cold. I didn’t earn any money at all.

“I thought if I stayed in Tokyo, I could get food and clothes handouts and take a shower and wash my clothes. I only thought about each day as it came.

“I can’t say that I looked good, but I tried to dress up so I could blend in with people as much as possible. People think homeless people are depraved.

“I asked a nonprofit organization for advice, and someone went with me to apply for welfare.

“After about three months, I got it. I attended Hello Work lectures for three months and got a home helper qualification. I worked at a group home for a year and a half.

“I hid the fact that I had a brain injury from them and, when they found out, I lost my job. Now I live in an apartment. The doctor told me not to work anymore.

“I’d like to go back to work for a nursing company. There’s no way I want to go back to being homeless.”

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/03/02/national/social-issues/no-one-wants-homeless-glimpse-life-streets-tokyo/#.Xlzoki2B01I

As stated earlier in this Japan Times article, there is a common misconception in Japan because of the lack of clarity that Japanese homeless do not work hard, and deserve their position in life. This mentality is further fueled by the fact that many homeless only do menial work like collecting tin cans, and lack of approaching others to beg or ask for food and or shelter. In all reality, they do want to work, but are not able to for various reasons. I believe that especially in Japan, there must be more awareness in our society that homeless people deserve and need help. Like the video of the $100 Race, I would like to share that no matter the society, some are given more opportunities in life compared to others, and it is not fair to judge others based on the very little we know of them.

[grapesofwrathhomelessness2020]

Siragu - A Short Movie by CNN IBN

This is an organization that I know second hand, I have never met anyone affiliated with the school, and my beliefs on this webpage to not mirror theirs. But, from the people that I have met who have volunteered here, I deeply admire the organizations work to create a more just society for the future. Chennai is a part of the Indian slums, and many citizens do not have access to education as with many other homeless places. Unlike the videos I have seen of the US, Japan, and SK, thus far, the largest difference is that young children must beg on the streets of India. In Japan, begging on the streets are mostly illegal and hardly ever seen. In the US, I am not sure about the laws, but I have yet to see children begging for food or money. I am also not sure about South Korean laws. In India, though, due to the class system, many untouchables still today beg and live on the streets no matter their age. 

[grapesofwrathhomelessness2020]

Heroin and Crystal Meth Addict interview-Damien

Soft White Underbelly creates many videos showing the world what the “Hell on Earth” community of Skid Row is like in LA.

Any video on this channel is very eye opening, because out of the hundreds of videos posted, there aren’t many people who end up there by their own doing. Many individuals were placed into a situation where another person was taking advantage of them, most likely in a way that the person viewing the video has never been taken advantage of. No person has the mentality that they don’t want to, or can’t get better. The commonality between people in Skid Row is that they want to turn life around for themselves. They still continue to have hope.

[grapesofwrathhomelessness2020]

Life of Privilege Explained in a $100 Race - Please Watch to the End

Although this video doesn’t necessarily address homelessness, I wanted to draw on my last point that some individuals are given more opportunities than others. Also, this video talks about black people, but being the minority no matter where you are in the world puts you at a disadvantage. In America, only 4 Fortune 500 CEO’s are black and only 33 are women. Only 2 black women have ever served as a Fortune 500 CEO. Yet, in athletics we are able to see that black athletes dominate the field. It would be hard to conclude that some groups “just work harder” than others, but that we are given different advantages in life. 

[grapesofwrathhomelessness2020]

Why People Become Homeless In Korea (360° VR) | 한국에서 노숙자가 생기는 이유 | なぜホーム...

((Watch from 2:38))

A common practice among society today is to generalize the homeless population with our own interpretations of the world, including the ideology that homelessness is a byproduct of laziness. It completely dismisses the fact that all people are brought into this world with different circumstances that include disabilities, racial, gender, and various other forms of discrimination, war environments, access to education, and much more. 

[grapesofwrathhomelessness2020]

Our Problem Today

Economy is the study of how to utilize our limited resources to meet our demand for our unlimited wants. Of course, there is no perfect form of government or economy, but some are better than others. Criticism for our arguably most successful system of economics in history, capitalism, has been around for a very long time. It started with works by Karl Marx, Emma Goldman, and Max Stirner among many others. Social Inequality that arises in capitalism has long been criticized as well by individuals such as Lewis Wickes Hine. Today, especially in Europe, the US, and South Korea, there is a surge of socialism that has not been seen in over a century. We must urge ourselves to be able to look at our own way of life and weigh the good and bas aspects. Here, I will mostly focus on negative aspects and repercussions of capitalism we currently face. 

I am focusing particularly The Grapes of Wrath to pinpoint important socioeconomic issues such as 

- the plight of farmers

- the struggle of migrant workers

- homelessness

- hunger

- alienation of groups

- prejudice

- families living in poverty

- problems of elderly

- intolerance of differences. 

Among these issues, I will focus on homelessness especially within major capitalist nations such as Japan, US, South Korea, and India.